BMW 5 Series
Luxury Vehicles

About BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series enters its seventh generation for 2017, evolving the driving dynamics, premium amenities and stately style that have made it the benchmark among midsize-luxury-sports sedans for over 40 years. As is the norm, this all-new model has more power, less weight and has grown slightly. Just as relevant as the physical is the digital in BMW's executive sedan. Gee-whiz technology such as gesture control that recently debuted in the 7 Series flagship is now in the new 5 Series, and this model introduces cutting-edge features like the ability to park itself, no driver needed. If you still relish the act of driving, take comfort: The 5 Series offers more involvement than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lexus GS and Audi A6.

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The BMW 5 Series sedan is all-new for 2017. Arriving first are 4-cylinder 530i and 6-cylinder 540i variants, to be followed by the 530e plug-in hybrid and V8-powered M550i as 2018 BMW 5 Series models. The largely shunned 5 Series Gran Turismo hatchback carries over.

For 2015 the 5 Series gains more standard features, including a sport leather steering wheel, LED fog lights, and enhanced Bluetooth and USB/smartphone connectivity. Higher-trim 550i models now include Comfort Access, which enables keyless entry and starting, plus a hands-free trunk-opening system. The Modern Line has been dropped.

A diesel sedan is added, while new standard features include xenon adaptive headlights, navigation and BMW Apps. New options include adaptive LED headlights, a rear-seat entertainment system and two new packages: Luxury and Modern. The 550i gains 45 horsepower, but loses its manual transmission.

For 2013, the new 560-horsepower M5 joins the 5 Series lineup along with a number of minor performance and cosmetic enhancements. Leading the list of changes is a next-generation navigation system with weather forecasts and crowd-sourced traffic information, newly available bespoke features from BMW Individual and a 45-horsepower bump for Gran Turismo variants sporting the twin turbo V8.

BMW created an all-new 5 Series for the 2011 model year, but the hits just keep on coming. For 2012, BMW dumps the 3.0-liter six in the base 528i and substitutes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four. With a bump in horsepower, torque and efficiency, this would seem to be a win/win/win for the consumer. However, Americans have been historically reluctant to spend big bucks on small powerplants. Hopefully, the dynamic has changed with escalating gasoline prices and growing awareness of global warming. The larger Gran Turismo uses 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder engines.